Liz and Jay are the "Power" couple behind the Monadnock Region in southwestern New Hampshire, where over 630 local players post nearly 200 play sessions a month. Peaceful and picturesque, with an abundance of outdoor and recreational activities, it's no wonder folks are taking to pickleball in this part of the country. We asked Liz and Jay a few questions about their experience.

How long have you been playing pickleball and where did you learn to play?

We started playing in 2019 after we both retired. We learned the game at our local recreation center in Keene, New Hampshire. We have been playing in our local community as well as on our travels ever since.

When did you first join PlayTime Scheduler as a regional admin?
We learned of Playtime Scheduler during a visit to Rockport, Texas in the winter of 2020. We saw the ease and value in the scheduling software (vs. texting) and decided to bring it home to New Hampshire. Unfortunately, this is when COVID shut down most of the courts, so we had to shelve the introduction until the following spring of 2021. Once started, PlayTime Scheduler usage caught on quickly. 

How would you describe your local pickleball community?
We are a welcoming community of players located in the southwest corner of New Hampshire which also draws players from our neighboring states of Vermont and Massachusetts. The founding tagline for our pickleball community: “fun, camaraderie, and exercise” continues to exemplified by the current group of players as we have grown. We have varied skill levels and age groups playing at multiple times at different facilities taking advantage of the social and competitive nature of the game. We have seen a relatively large increase in our player numbers this calendar year. We play outdoors as long as we can before the winter weather forces us indoors. 

What advice would you give to a new region considering setting up a PlayTime Scheduler?
Spend a little time time up front with the software. Before you introduce it, accurately set up your current region as best you can while expecting some expansion. Get some early adoption from your regulars! Show them how it works and let them help you fan the flames. Once started, the community quickly takes ownership starting sessions and finding ways to adapt it for varying court locations, skill levels, etc. At this time, it is relatively hands off for the admin except answering some usage questions, adding new court locations or alert notifications. Because the feature rich website software is intuitive, it is quick to learn by your local players.